The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-22
Protest Against Coercion.


NEW YORK, March 21-A mass meeting was
held in the Cooper Union tonight to protest
against the enactment of the proposed coercion
measures for Ireland by the English Parliament.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the
municipal council of the Irish National League.
Charles A. Dana, editor of the New York Sun,
acted as chairman. He said that it might be
asked what Americans had to do with the con-
duct of the English government. He maintained
the right to be unquestionable. He spoke on
behalf of broad justice and those rights which
belonged to all men. They about to vio
late in England now the first principles OF
liberty by passing coercion bill, and Irish
Americans wished to protest against it.
Americans did because Irishmen formed
a great part of the citizens of the United
States. Americans had the right because they
contributed the chief part of the money that en-
abled that band OF patriots led by Parnell to
continue the fight for freedom. The resolutions
passed recite that the English government is
preparing to introduce socalled crimes bill,
whose provisions are intended to suppress con-
stitutional liberty in Ireland for political ends
and to abolish the freedom of the press. They
say that the only effect be the enkindliDg of
race hatred making difficult the settle
mont of the Irish question and tending to pro-
duce social disorder in Ireland The citizens of
New York, in mass-meeting assembled, there
fore earnestly protest against the contemplated
land aud Ireland, and a violation OF the recog-
nized principles of justice The resolutions
quote "Enelard's greatest statesman" in saying
that force is no remedy and declaring that home
rule in the establishment of atpariament to
deal directly with local questions is the only
basis of settling the Irish question. The reso-
utions tender sympathy and promise support to
Gladstone and Parnell. and encourage them to
oppose coercion. The resolutions to be sent
to the two leaders. and also to the Tory leader
Lord Salisbury
Hon. Samuel J. Randall wrote from Washing
ton urging justice to Ireland as the only lasting
solution of her troubles, and expressing his deep
interest in the question. He said it was strange
that. in the nineteenth century, English Tories
should persist in policy of injustice and coer
cion condemned by history with singular una
nimity crime against the human race; also
to the disgrace OF the fair name of the English
government Sooner or later justice must be
done. Mr.. Randall said that Gladstone had no
superior as statesman. The fact that at the
close of long ard brilliant career he led the
move ment in favor of home rule for Ireland, and
insisted with all his brilliant intellectual powers
for justice to her. security for Great Britain
in the future, and the best evidence that the
Irish question was lifted out of the arena Of
mere local and temporary contentious and be-
come an inevitable necessity Of peace and pros
perity to the English speaking races. Sire
land" he concluded must have home rule and
justice must be done to her people, and it is
sheer madness to refuse to grant what is so
| clearly right"
Hon S. S. Cox wrote from W ashington. He
| asserted that the great body Of the English peo-
pie were at with Scotland, Ireland and
Wales in their hatred Of measures of espionage,
fraud and force
Roscoe Conkling wrote: tin heart and iudg-
| ment am in sympathy with the people of Ire
land, and wholly against any and every scheme
to trample on their rights 1t will be annoying
if England, the land of Magma Charta, the land of
trial by jury and due process of law, the land of
eight centuries of Parliament, the land of West
world. turn around and march back toward bar
| barism. For government to uphold itself by
| force against those who would overthrow it is
| one thing This is the right OF self defense the
| right to be. But it is a widely different thing
| to make laws oppressive and repugnant to
| the great majority of those affected by
| them, and then to violate the principles
| of government itself in order to enforce such
| laws. Such proceeding is not resort to the
| right of self-defense, nor a resort to any other
| right 1t is might--brutal might. 1t cannot be
| defended by the extremity of the occasion; still
| less by the possession of power great enough to
| promise IMMUNITY to the act. Should the event
| you apprehend come to pass Great Britain may
| raise home question which mankind may
make question of its own-so deep and uni
versal is the sentiment of liberty. That the
| wisdom of Englishmen. and Scotchmen, and
| Irishmen may avert all the evils you fear is my
! ardent hope AID wish"
| The following cablegram was sent to Mr.
| Gladstone:
| s'The citizens of New York in mass meeting
assembled, protest against coercion, heartily in
| dorse your noble policy, and wish you God speed
in your undertaking. CHARLES A. DANA"